Tag Archives: STEM

Join us to learn about STEM and “making” in libraries featuring the Make Do Share curriculum that has been tried and tested in a rural library system in Washington State. Make Do Share was made by libraries for libraries and includes helpful tips to build your confidence while supporting 21st century learners. We will explore ways to incorporate STEM skills into existing programs and how to become a non-expert leader in your community’s STEM learning ecology.

Telescopes, digital converters, board games, coding toys, and more! Cary Memorial Library (MA) debuted its Library of Things collection in March 2017. Over a year later, we are grateful for how our collection has flourished in spite of a few hiccups along the way! This webinar discusses the why and how of starting a circulating collection of unusual items, including Cary Library’s best practices for streamlining the circulation process and easing staff concerns regarding learning about all of the Things in your collection.

Join Deb Gaff, youth services librarian at the Bartholomew County Public Library—and former teacher—as she discusses the STEAM programs she does for students both in school and at BCPL. First she shares valuable strategies for establishing a relationship with schools and explains how BCPL got started with these initiatives. Then she highlights her programs, including Coder Dojo, working with robots, a Nick & Tesla book club, and more.

Library conferences are great until you realize that you forgot to bring business cards. They are fantastic until you are sitting in a session that is not at all what you thought it would be. Library conferences are terrific until you realize that you’ve attended 5 sessions on basically the same topic and you can’t remember what actually was said. So much fun, until you get lost in an unfamiliar city. There are things you can do ahead of time to make sure that you get the most out of your library conference experience. Join a panel of seasoned (and not so seasoned) library conference goers to learn tips on what to bring, how to plan, and guidelines to help you not only have a great conference experience, but also how to follow-through after the conference, so that your organization will be excited to send you again. Courtney Block, Selina Gomez-Beloz, and Megan Zanto from the Indiana Library Federation will share their tips as well as some specifics related to the 2017 ILF Conference. This will be a great webinar to take for people new to the field or for people who have never attended a large conference before. ALA, PLA, and ILF will all be mentioned. No LEUs will be offered, but we still hope this is a great event to get ready for all the library conferences.

When it comes to asking the hard questions at the heart of scientific investigation, perhaps no book has ever topped Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This remarkable novel, which turns 200 in 2018, is the center of One State/One Story, an ambitious statewide read presented by Indiana Humanities and the Indiana State Library. Join us for a one-hour webinar to learn about ways to get your library or school involved with this fun and stimulating statewide project. We’ll present a detailed overview of what resources, including funds, books and more, will be available, and walk you through how to apply to take part. We’ll also share creative ideas for how to build community and school programs around this amazing book. Librarians who participate can earn one hour of LEU credit. One State/One Story: Frankenstein is part of Quantum Leap, a special initiative of Indiana Humanities that explores the spirit of creativity and problem-solving that occurs when we bridge the humanities with science, technology, engineering, math and medicine.

On August 21st, 2017 millions of people will be able to experience a total solar eclipse. Indiana libraries can get in on the fun by having programs, displays, watching parties, and other events. Join Greg McCauley, the Executive Director of the Link Observatory Space Science Institute as he explains what the eclipse is, why it is significant, and how libraries can get involved.

Indiana Humanities’ new thematic initiative Quantum Leap explores and celebrates the spirit of possibility and problem-solving that occurs when we bridge the humanities with science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEM). During this webinar, we’ll offer a preview of program and funding opportunities for libraries to join in this statewide conversation. You’ll learn about our One State/One Story collaboration with the Indiana State Library, grants for projects that combine STEM + humanities, and more ways to “take the leap” with us in 2017-2018.

Are you looking for a fun, easy way to incorporate computer science and coding into your program offerings? Look no further! During this session we will cover all the necessary logistics to start a CoderDojo coding club at your library. CoderDojo is a flexible, open source program designed to introduce kids to computer science in a fun environment. CoderDojo Indiana provides fundraising and curriculum support (as well as some student and volunteer marketing tools) and you guys set your own club schedule and let us know what you need to succeed.

Join the Kendallville Public Library staff as they share how STEAM has worked its way into their programs, The Cortex (our makerspace), and even our circulating collections. Tips, tricks and ideas for getting what you already have out of your closets and cupboards and putting them to use.

Join Amy Dalton as she presents an overview of ways to get started with VR in your library as well as suggestions for good apps to use and other programming ideas for all ages. Google Cardboard, the Oculus Rift, and other headsets have made it possible for libraries to delve into this exciting technology. Join us to discover how.